Press Release

Update of influenza-like illness outbreak in primary school

29 January 2016

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 29) provided an update on its investigation into an influenza-like illness outbreak in Hoi Ping Chamber of Commerce Primary School in Cheung Sha Wan reported on This link will open in a new windowJanuary 27.

Upon follow-up investigation, the CHP identified 32 additional affected students, 18 boys and 14 girls aged 6 to 12. They have developed cough, sore throat and fever since January 22.

This brings the total number of affected students to 56 so far and 52 of them have sought medical attention. None of them required hospitalisation and all are now in stable condition.

The CHP today noted that the school had decided to suspend classes tomorrow (January 30), and classes would resume after the school's Lunar New Year holiday on February 18. Officers of the CHP today visited the school again and reminded the management to adopt measures to prevent respiratory tract infection. Medical surveillance on the school is continuing.

"We announced yesterday (January 28) that Hong Kong has entered the winter influenza season. The latest surveillance data show that the seasonal influenza activity continues to increase from the baseline level and is expected to rise further in the following weeks. Members of the public, particularly young children, the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses, are hence again urged to get vaccinated early and observe strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene," a spokesman for the CHP said.

The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene to protect against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:

• Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
• Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When influenza is prevalent, avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

The public may visit the CHP's pages below for more information:

• The influenza page (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/14843.html);
• The weekly Flu Express report (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/2108.html); and
• The vaccination schemes page (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/17980.html).